Caring for Dogs with a Leg Injury
September 29, 2009
Dog leg injuries can range from fairly benign to life threatening and cause distress to both you and the animal. Dog leg injuries fall into five main categories, these being injuries to the paws, ligaments, tendons and bones along with muscular tears. As your dog gets older, the susceptibility to these types of injury increases as they develop slower reactions and weaker bones. Dogs with a leg injury need special care and attention if they are to recover fully.
Spotting a Problem
As healthy as your dog may appear, it’s very easy to get a leg injury. All those years spent running around, chasing toys, and twisting through the air to catch them takes its toll. Animals don’t really come up and tell you when they are hurt, so your first realization that your dog has been injured will likely be when you notice them limping around, a canine grin still on their face.
Common symptoms include foot dragging, limping and favoring other limbs but sometimes you might notice it as swelling, bleeding and general lethargy. These types of injuries can result from everything from walking on glass to being hit by a car.
Training for an Injury
You may want to consider specialist training to help your dog’s recovery. The first part of this dog training should be to stop your dog jumping. After years of encouraging exercise, this can be hard for older dogs to accept. Any jumping will just put more stress and strain on an injury and lengthen a recovery program. If your dog needs to climb into the back of a car or simply jump onto the sofa then you should consider buying a telescopic dog ramp so that it can do so without jeopardizing the injured limb.
A Quick Response
Always address a dog’s injury as soon as you notice because it is very difficult to judge the severity—dogs are tough. For simple cuts and grazes, wash the wound with antibacterial soap, making sure you thoroughly clean it before applying an antibiotic ointment.
If the injury is more serious, such as a fracture or torn tendon, the most important thing to do is immobilize the leg, possibly with the application of a simple splint. If you have reason to suspect a serious leg injury, consult a vet immediately. Any delay could have severe consequences on the dog’s long term health.
The Road to Recovery
Of course, all dogs and all injuries are different. The recovery from a leg injury will depend on its age, health, breed and the care it receives. Adequate rest is important, and be sure to keep them from using the limb too much. It’s very difficult to slow an injured dog down if their age hasn’t yet gotten the better of them, so you really have to stay on top of things.
To further aid the recovery you may consider some of the injury products available and your vet can advise you on this. Dog boots, harnesses and ramps are just some of the items available to ease the strain on an injured leg and put your dog on a speedy road to recovery. With some practical considerations and a little extra attention, your dog should be healthy again before you know it.
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